Display-rack



(No Model.)

W. P. GRAY.

DISPLAY RACK.

No. 577,951. Patented Mar. 2,1897.

Ti: NORRIS vncws co unmouma, WASHINGTON, n. c

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

XVILLIAM F. GRAY, OF MILLERSBURG, O HIO.

DISPLAY-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 577,951, dated March 2,1897.

Application filed March 17, 1896. Serial No. 583,589. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. GRAY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Millersburg, in the county of Holmes and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Display-Rack, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to display-racks, and has for its object toprovide a simple, compact, and convenient rack especially designed forexhibiting samples in sheet form, such as wall-paper, dzc.

The principal object of the invention is to provide, in connection witha display-rack having a swiveled standard and hinged leaves arranged ateither side thereof, a tension device or clutch for upholding one orboth of the leaves at the desired angle, an extensionrack slidinglyconnected with one of the leaves, and an extension-support by means ofwhich a roll of paper or other material may be exhibited alongside ofthe sample, thus enabling the sample and stock to be compared side byside.

Other objects and advantages of the in vention will appear in the courseof the subjoined description.

The invention consists in an improved display-rack embodying certainnovel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, ashereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and finallypointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view. of adisplay-rack constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig.2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same with the leavesfolded. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the hollow cross-head,showing the extensible supports arranged therein. Fig. 4 is a detailperspective view of one of the extensible supports. Fig. 5 is a similarview of one of the friction slides or clutches and the metal guide inwhich the same reciprocates.

Similar nu merals of reference designate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates the base of thedisplayrack, which comprises a central hub portion 2, having a verticalsocket or bore therein and a series of radially-disposed legs orsupports.

3 indicates the standard, which at its lower At its upper end thestandard 3 is provided I with a horizontal cross-head 5, which is in theform of a long hollow box closed at its sides and ends, as shown. To thecross-head 5 are hinged two opposing leaves 6, which connect at theirupper edges to said cross-head and normally hang pendent therefrom. Eachof said leaves may, however, be supported at any desired angle withrelation to the standard 3 by means of a rod or brace 7, which connectspivotally at one end to its leaf and has pivotally connected to itsopposite end a slide 8, which reciprocates vertically within a metalguide 9, arranged in a vertical recess in the side of the standard 3. r

The metal guide 9 is formed in its outer side with a vertical slot 10,through which is received the inner end of the rod 7 or the ear or cars11 of the slide 8, with which the rod connects. The slide 8 cannot,however, escape from the guide 9 through the slot 10, but is retained inthe guide and caused vto travel up and down therein as the leaf withwhich it is connected is adjusted. A tension device or spring 12 isconnected to the slide 8 and bears within the guide 9 for resisting themovement of the slide,and the pressure of said tension device or springmay be adjusted by means of a set-screw 13, passing through the slideand bearing against said device. This tension device holds the leaf 6 atwhatever angle it is placed and may thus be adjusted to correspond tothe weight or number of samples placed on exhibition. The samples may beconnected to the leaves in any manner, but are preferably clamped attheir upper ends between parallel boards or strips 14, having at theirupper edges eyes which may be engaged with or disengaged from hooks orpins arranged at or near the top edges of the leaves. In this manner oneset of samples may be removed and replaced by another set. Within thehollow cross -head 5' are arranged two extensible supports 15, each ofwhich is in the form of a semicylinder and of a length about equal tothat of the cross-head. These supports 15 engage with longitudinalguide-ribs 1G inside of the cross-head and slide through crescent-shapedopenings 17 in the end walls of the cross-head. Each of said supports isreinforced as to its longitudinal edges with wire, as shown, and thesections of the wire are connected at the outer end of the support toform a loop 18, constituting a handle by means of which the support maybe withdrawn when needed. The supports 15 at their inner ends areprovided with lips 19 which, when the supports are drawn out to theirfull extent, strike against stationary stops 20, located near the endsof the crosshead, thus limiting the outward movement of the supports.

21 designates a pair of racks located one beu eath each leaf 6. Each ofsaid racks is made substantially in the form shown in Fig. 1, consistingof two or more parallel horizontal bars 22, connected at one end by avertical bar 23. The horizontal bars 22 slide through staples or eyes25, secured to the under side of each of the leaves 6', and these armsare provided in rear of such staples or eyes with stops 26 for limitingthe extent to which the rack 21 may be withdrawn.

In operation when it is desired to compare a roll of paper or otherstock with one of the samples on the leaf 6 the extensible support 15 isdrawn out from one end of the cross-head 5 in the manner abovedescribed, and the extension-rack 21 is also withdrawn. The roll ofpaper may now be placed in the semicylindrical holder or support 15, andthe unrolled portion of the paper may be spread over the rack 21, thusbringing it side by side with the sample on the leaf and facilitatingcomparison. The leaf, together with the extensionrack, may be adjustedsimultaneously to the desired angle, and the standard may be revolved toget the desired light or reflection upon the goods being exhibited. henno longer required, the extension-support 15 and the extensible rack 21may be moved inward, where they will be out of the way and out of sight.

It will be apparent that changes in the form, proportion, and minordetails of construction may be resorted to without departing from thespirit or sacrificing any of the ad vantages of this invention.

Ilaving thus described the invention, what is claimed'as new is 1. In adisplay-rack, the combination with a suitable standard having alongitudinal recess therein, of a folding leaf hinged at its upper endto said standard, a rod or brace having pivotal connection with saidleaf, a friction-slide connected to said rod and reciprocating in saidrecess, and a tensionspring carried by said slide, substantially asdescribed.

2. The combination with a suitable stand, of a hollow cross-head in theform of a closed box provided with openings in its ends, folding leaveshinged to said cross-head, extension-racks supported on said leaves, andextensible supports slidingly mounted in said cross-head and adapted tobe moved independently in opposite directions through the openings inthe ends of the cross-head, said supports being provided with handles,substantially as described.

3. In a display-rack, the combination with a standard, and a foldingleaf having a hinged connection therewith, of a rod or brace attached atone end to said leaf, and a slide connected to the opposite end of saidrod and engaging the standard, and provided with a tension device forresisting the movement of the slide, and also having provision foradjusting the pressure of the tension device, substantially asdescribed.

4. As an article of manufacture, a semicylindrical sliding support ofsheet material, having its longitudinal edges reinforced by a piece ofwire, the said wire being extended beyond one end of the support andfashioned into a loop constituting a handle by means of which thesupport may be manipulated, substantiall y as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing'as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

\VIL LIAM F. GRAY.

YVitnesses:

L. G. BARTON, JOHN BURKEY.

